We believe that International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) membership gives you valuable tools for providing evidence-based care to breastfeeding families. But don’t trust us – listen to your fellow members! We reached out to members from all over the world and asked:
WHY are you an ILCA member?
From Nicola O’Byrne (Ireland):
I’m very proud to be an ILCA member. Their membership represents a great example of leadership in our profession. They give wonderful support, guidance and knowledge to all of us as International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs®). Thank you ILCA!
From Leigh Ann O’Connor (USA):
Being a member of ILCA is essential to my profession as a Private Practice IBCLC. It keeps me “in the know” in my field and keeps me connected to my peers around the world. I believe membership in my professional organization is important as it lets my voice be heard and I believe it is important to support the organization that supports me.
From Roberta Graham de Escobedo (Mexico):
Membership in ILCA means belonging to my “tribe.” Like minded, similarly focused, with shared passions, and fervently dedicated . . . those are some of the characteristics I have found in my fellow ILCA members. I am an ILCA member because I need to know that I am not working in a vacuum, but am a part of a worldwide network of change agents, movers, and shakers.
From Opal Horvat (USA):
I believe, as part of our profession, one SHOULD belong to our organization of associates and colleagues. It unites us in a way that can be a mighty force. ILCA gives a voice to be heard that is much larger than just my own. I expect that ILCA will speak for us, defend us if needed, and promote us so that we can promote breastfeeding. They are our ambassador in the healthcare field, promoting better policies for a healthier, stronger, and more brilliant world.
Elvis Ngala (Cameroon):
I can’t be any more thankful to be an ILCA member. It has changed so much in my career and professional pursuit. Cameroon is gradually getting the lactation consultant on the map!
Inma Mellado (Spain):
When I passed the IBCLC exam 3 years ago, I decided to look for ways to connect with other IBCLCs. First, I started with the ones in my local and national areas but felt the need to be connected with something more global, which I found with ILCA membership.
Jo Gilpin (Australia):
Working in isolation in a rural area in South Australia, I consider my ILCA membership essential to my private lactation consultant practice. I appreciate the fact that it is international in focus, therefore giving me the opportunity to view universal breastfeeding information and is a useful connection point with other lactation consultants world wide. My ILCA membership, with all its benefits and services, helps me maintain a high professional standard of service delivery to parents with their babies.
Christine Staricka (USA):
As a hospital-based IBCLC, my ILCA membership is a valuable tool in many ways. My quick access to the latest research and the archives of the Journal of Human Lactation keep me current and help me educate hospital staff and update hospital lactation policies to reflect the best evidence base. The articles also give me an international perspective that helps me consider lactation issues from a global scope. Our facility has benefited from my membership when I used my member discount to purchase items for World Breastfeeding Week. The Members-Only section of the ILCA website provides me with skill-building tools for improving my value as an educator. As a member of the professional association which supports my credential, I am able to represent the value of the IBCLC when participating in multi-disciplinary projects and teams in the hospital. I am providing better quality clinical care to our patients because of my member benefits.
Do you like what you see? Consider ILCA membership.
The new membership package for 2015 includes benefits that allow you to:
- Grow your knowledge by earning up to 10 Free CERPs
- Guide your practice with the Journal of Human Lactation
- Help families find you with the Find a Lactation Consultant Directory
- Save you money with discounts on education and our annual conference
- Build your practice toolbox with access to share Inside Tracks with your clients
- Stay Connected through the ILCAlert and more!
If you are new to ILCA and are joining for the first time, you will have full access to all of ILCA’s member benefits as soon as you join.
If you are a current ILCA member, your membership expires on 31 December 2014. If you would like to continue your membership and receive the new benefits for 2015, including access to earn up to 10 FREE CERPs, you must renew by 1 January 2015.
In addition to our standard membership, also consider our Student membership and Retired membership. Each comes at a reduced cost to encourage all those supporting breastfeeding families to be an ILCA member. Click HERE for more information.
Want to take advantage of our GROUP discounts? These offer you a 10% discount for each individual participating in a group. Group memberships require a minimum of five (5) people to submit their membership applications via mail to the ILCA Office.
Hi all at ILCA Office,
Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and that the 2015 membership drive is going well. I, like many SELCA members, am renewing with ILCA and USLCA via our affiliate group. Our membership drive ends in the next few days and you will receive our check with all the SELCA members that are renewing with ILCA as well, as will USLCA. Thanks again for being there for us!
Sent from my iPhone Kat Chiu, IBCLC, RLC amcbe@comcast.net Communications Coordinator SELCA
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Thank you so much, Kathleen. ILCA *is* its members and we are so grateful for your renewal. As always, we’d love to hear what you value about membership and we are always looking for ways to better support and advocate for you.
My reason? “All of the above.” Love these comments; proud to be an ILCA member!